incarnation

noun

in·​car·​na·​tion ˌin-(ˌ)kär-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce incarnation (audio)
1
: the act of incarnating : the state of being incarnate
2
: a particular physical form or state : version
in another incarnation he might be a first vice-presidentWalter Teller
TV and movie incarnations of the story
3
a
: a concrete or actual form of a quality or concept
especially : a person showing a trait or typical character to a marked degree
she is the incarnation of goodness
b(1)
capitalized : the union of divinity with humanity in Jesus Christ
(2)
: the embodiment of a deity or spirit in some earthly form
incarnational adjective

Examples of incarnation in a Sentence

the doctrine of the Incarnation she is the very incarnation of grace and tactfulness
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Inside his body, the role would be no spoof at all but the purest of incarnations. Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025 This incarnation of the character (played by María Gabriela de Faría) isn't quite like that, instead using nanotechnology to alter herself. EW.com, 10 June 2025 Jones established himself as a booker at city clubs like Pianos NYC, the Dance, and Sin-é (which, in an earlier incarnation, had fostered Jeff Buckley). David Browne, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025 Modern incarnations even manage to keep up with contemporary popular culture, particularly impressive for someone who's well over a thousand years old. Richard Edwards, Space.com, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for incarnation

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3b(2)

Time Traveler
The first known use of incarnation was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incarnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incarnation. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

incarnation

noun
in·​car·​na·​tion ˌin-ˌkär-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce incarnation (audio)
1
: the appearance of a god or spirit in an earthly form
2
capitalized : the union of divine and human natures in Jesus Christ
3
: an actual instance of a quality or concept
she was the incarnation of goodness

More from Merriam-Webster on incarnation

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